DeWine delayed a February execution after the judge’s ruling and ordered a new process developed. But Merz questioned why Ohio was preparing for additional executions given that directive.

DeWine said Thursday it was “highly unlikely” any new injection process would make it through expected lawsuits in time for the next three executions.

The decision delays executions scheduled for May, July and September.

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12:15 a.m.

A federal judge critical of Ohio’s current lethal injection system has scheduled a hearing to review the status of a long-running lawsuit challenging the state’s execution method.

Judge Michael Merz in January issued a scathing critique of the first drug used in the process, the sedative midazolam (mih-DAY’-zoh-lam). He said inmates could suffer severe pain because the drug doesn’t render them deeply enough unconscious.

In response, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine delayed a February execution and ordered the prison system to come up with a new lethal injection process.

Merz has since questioned why Ohio is preparing for a May execution given DeWine’s announcement.